Vasi
Year of arrival: 2019
Age at the time of arrival: Approximately 10 years
Sex: Male
Personality traits: Playful, but gets intimidated easily
Facility: Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre (BBRC)
Favourite food: Peanut butter
Favourite activities: Digging pits and relaxing in them
Special needs: Enrichments for Vasi are placed at a height that is comfortable for him to access.
Background: Vasi was rescued from Ballari district in Karnataka, where he was found struggling in a vicious jaw trap. The sharp teeth of the snare encased the ankle of his left hindlimb, causing grave injury to Vasi’s paw. | READ MORE ABOUT VASI
VASI’S STORY
In 2019, Vasi fell victim to a cruel trap that was, in all likelihood, set up by poachers. On finding out that the bear was trapped in the painful clutches of a jaw trap, the forest department immediately reached out to Wildlife SOS for assistance. A rescue team quickly made its way to help the anguished bear.
When the team reached the location, they found a skinny bear with rough fur that had his left hindleg trapped in a snare. This snare had left a terrible wound on his ankle, and the digits on this paw were severely infected. First aid was therefore administered on the spot. To prevent the infection from spreading, Vasi’s injured paw had to be amputated later.
At the Bannerghata Bear Rescue Centre, Vasi is provided with constant care in an environment that closely resembles the wild. He is a healthy bear, living a peaceful life. Though Vasi is shy and finds the company of other bears in the field a bit unsettling, he is extremely playful! The vivacious bear can even fall asleep even in a sitting position!